Pre-starter steps

Pre-starter steps #

Use pre-starter steps to find the beat in the music and to verify the follower is also feeling the beat. You can [lock the knee] or [left diagonal tap right diagonal tap] while counting 5678.

Use pre-starter steps at the beginning of a song for two accomplish two goals. First, establish a connection with the follower. Second, set the tone or the atmosphere for the song. Make it fun, playful, smooth, sensual, bluesy, stylish, etc. Whatever you do, smile and have fun. Don’t get serious and make it boring.

Left collect-tap-return right collect-tap-return #

Start an [open] or [closed] position or standing in split-weight. On 1 do a left side-check at 9:00 with your left foot and put your weight on your left foot. On 1.5 collect your right foot next to your left foot and tap. On 2 return your right foot to its original position and put your weight on it. On 2.5 collect-tap your left foot next to your right foot. On 3&4 return your left foot to its original position and put your weight on it, on the & collect your right foot next to the weighted left foot to perform a tap. On 4 hold the tap with the right foot. On 5&6 triple step forward with the free right foot. End in a [starter] position.

You can repeat steps 1 and 2 as many times as you would like.

Stay inside the slot while stepping side to side. If you step outside the slot, the follower will triple step progressively to adjust her center of mass because you are doing a progressive step.

Left diagonal tap right diagonal tap #

Start in an [open] or [closed] position. On 1 do a tap step diagonally forward at 11 o’clock with your left foot and on 2 bring your left foot diagonally backward so you step in place and change weight onto your right leg. On 3 do tap step diagonally forward at 1 o’clock with your right foot and on 4 step diagonally backward with your right foot so you step in place as you change weight onto your left leg. You should be in the original position. Note that tap steps do not require a weight change, meaning that a 4-beat groove cycle only requires 2 weight changes.

This groove can be turned into a [forward tap forward triple].

Lock the knee #

Start in an [open] or [closed] position. On 1 put your weight on your right foot and hip, place your left foot at 10:30 about 1 foot away from your center of mass. Use your right hip to counter-balance your left foot for style. On 2, flex your left calve and bend your left knee so only the ball of your left foot touches the floor while still maintaining your weight on your right foot. On 3 extend your left calve and lock your left knee so your left foot is flat against the floor. Repeat steps 2 and 3.